Hopeful Friday

coco and sam a nice nap

I woke up this morning, grabbed a cup of coffee, avoided the news in the morning paper, did not turn on the television to watch the local and world news, and put on some nice music.

A Cup of Coffee with Susan

I sat down at the computer to write a post and I could hear the howling coyotes in woods nearby. I sat for a minute and listened to their blood curdling howls and screams. Yikes, Cocoa and Sam "Lions and Tigers and Bears" oh my! Soon Cocoa, me and Sam looked out the window as we watched these sketchy guys in the distance, walking the path down below along the flat stretch.

Vermont Winter Sky

I started thinking about how the journalists, television hosts and newscasters are a bit like the coyotes out there. They scare us to death, with their opinions, howls and bleak perspective. As if our own realities aren't scary enough right now. I know my reality and it is worrysome, but being frightened 24/7 by watching the news or reading about it, isn't helping me. In fact, if I go out looking for a job and think about the gloom and doom, what kind of energy would I bring to that interview?

Lake Champlain

I have to remind myself that these journalists, newscasters and talk show hosts (lions and tigers and bears) are still vying for ratings to save their own jobs. Hmmmmmmmm, puts things in a whole different perspective for me! I know that the honest ones in our government do have our interests at heart and they are doing whatever they can to put something in place to help us. I also know that listening to positive, uplifting words wherever and whenever they may be found help me face today.

Blue Sky

I heard something the other day that made me stand up and take notice. The story was about how when faced with a fogged out airport, this young man thought the entire city was under fog conditions. Once the airplane took off, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. He could see that the fog that looked so overwhelming was just a small stretch hovering over the airport. He said:

"Remember the sun is still shining behind the clouds."

After The Rain

This is the HOPE we need to hold onto.

Hot air balloons...the magic they hold

The song for this post is HIGH HOPES. Frank Sinatra might be singing this right this very minute in heaven watching this situation unravel. Reminding me that God is still in control.
Anonymous said...

Hello Karen,

This is an excellent post!
And your sleeping pets look so adorable...

~ Gabriela ~

Sue said...

Hi Karen,
Thank You for these very truthful thoughts, the pictures are beautiful,especially of your two friends sleeping on the couch. lovely!!
Blessings,
Sue

Kathleen Grace said...

You are so right Karen, the newscasters love to make things seem as bad as possible to dramatize the news, but I always say, if there is 10% unemployment that means that 90% are still employed! Things are bad but they are what they are and we have to deal as best we can. Keep listening to the good news and do the best you can, God will take care of the rest:>

Tara said...

Karen

I agree with you, I am tuning out on the news...I mean, really, everything is about the bleak economy. This is not to say people are not really suffering out there, I do not mean that, but the media SPIN is what I mean...after all, we are subject to what they tell us! I am becoming a fan of BBC World news that I can get here on the upper channels. No graphic gimmicks, flashing lights, just news presented in the old fashioned W Cronkite way that you can breath during the newscast and make sense of!

Anonymous said...

Amen and Amen!
I totally agree, Karen. For months at a time I simply avoid the news and concentrate on:
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,think about such things!" Phil 4:8
Does the heart good. :)
Have a good weekend!
Jen

Vee said...

Amen! Describing the vast majority of the media as howling coyotes is spot on. I refuse to watch the news...refuse. The paper I still read and feel instantly depressed for having done so. Thank you for the correct perspective!

Love the photo of your furbabies curled up in their favorite spot.

xashee's corner said...

Hi Karen! i am getting hooked on your serene and peaceful posts!! THANK you! :D
your coyotes howl in the morning? COOL!! but i can see how it might be creepy in the mornings!! we have only heard ours at dusk and we LOVE it for some weird reasons unknown to us! hehe
i feel the same way about the news, it's all so bleak!!! i understand that in Canada the news doesn't focus on all the accidents, deaths, murders, suicides and such, instead they do more uplifting stories and that has got to affect the mental state of this country.
Thank you so much for all you share! i feel like, AHhhhhhhh when done reading you! :D Hope you have a FANTASTIC day!

Anonymous said...

Amen, Sister! I so rarely watch any news. It seems their very aim is to scare us to death, or at least help with mass depression. Love your photos-- and we, too, often hear the coyotes.

Hugs,
CurtissAnn

Joyce's Journey said...

You always do the nicest posts! I love reading what you have to say because it is always so uplifting. Thank you for these wonderful thoughts!!

Anonymous said...

Great post, Karen. I am trying to lift myself out of a slump right now. Work has been getting to me, but I think I've got my head in the right place now.

LiLi M. said...

You are so right Karen to take a moment to contemplate before reading and watching the news. I love your watercolor of your coffee. I think you are right that we have to keep positive. People are talking each other too in a depression. Everybody wants to keep their hands on their wallets. Of course it's not good to spend more than you have, we have seen that, but the opposite isn't good either.
Thanks for your positive post and have a great weekend!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love that song and your post...m.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love that song and your post...m.

Anonymous said...

How true, Karen! I've avoided watching the news and reading the newspapers for a couple of years and have felt much better for it. Sometimes I think the media talks us into things!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,
Lynda

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, How are you? I rarely watch the news or read a newspaper these days but then I feel like an idiot when I am out in public and don't have a clue as to what an acquaintance I run into is talking about. :) Hope you have a super nice weekend. ~ Lynn
P.S. I am always amazed when I take off in an airplane in bad weather (scary) and realize, like your story, the the sun is still shining up above. Love the babies sleeping on the big chair.

Unknown said...

Dearest Karen, you are correct. Especially with times like this, hope is really what everyone is pining on. Beautiful post as usual.

Elaine said...

Karen, It was such a blessing to read your blog today. I particularly appreciated the part about listening to the news and the newscasters. Thanks for the lovely and timely reminder to keep our focus clear and our priorities straight!
Blessings on this February Sunday...Elaine

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